Mexico Puts Firearm Flows High on Agenda with US as Bloodshed Rises

 

"Mexico is really managing to say that this is a bilateral problem," said Cecilia Farfan, an expert on organized crime and US-Mexico security cooperation at the University of California, San Diego.

 

"In the same way that the United States is saying, 'I need you to do something about illegal drug trafficking,' Mexico is saying, 'I need you to do something about guns,'" she said.

 

The lawsuit names US gun-making companies including Smith & Wesson Brands, Barrett Firearms Manufacturing, Beretta USA, Glock and Colt’s Manufacturing Co.

 

The suit said the Mexican government took the action "to put an end to the massive damage that the [companies] cause by actively facilitating the unlawful trafficking of their guns to drug cartels and other criminals in Mexico."

 

Between 70 and 90 percent of all weapons recovered from crime scenes in Mexico were smuggled in from the United States, Mexico's foreign ministry says.

 

Mexico has accused major US gunmakers for firearms trafficking it blames for fueling cartel-related bloodshed.

 

The lawsuit seeks compensation for the damage caused by the firms' alleged "negligent practices," as well as the implementation of adequate standards to "monitor and discipline" arms dealers.